Reports | BCCI confirms offer to play two extra T20Is in England in 2022

Reports | BCCI confirms offer to play two extra T20Is in England in 2022

BCCI secretary Jay Shah has confirmed that the body has made a proposal to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for two extra T20Is in England next year, to cover up for the losses of the cancelled Manchester Test. The two teams are scheduled to play three ODIs and as many T20Is in July 2022.

According to a Cricbuzz report. BCCI secretary Jay Shah has revealed that the board has offered ECB to add two T20Is to the originally scheduled three-match T20I series between England and India next year, as a solution to recover the losses from the cancellation of the Old Trafford Test.

Shah further added that the board is willing for a one-off Test too, leaving ECB with the choice to decide.

"It is correct that we have offered to play two extra T20Is when we visit England next July (only for the white-ball games). Instead of three T20Is, we will play five T20Is. Alternately, we will be willing to play one-off Test as well. It is up to them to choose either of the offers," Shah told Cricbuzz on Monday, September 19.

The Manchester Test was cancelled after four members of Indian support staff, including head coach Ravi Shastri, we

The Manchester Test was cancelled after four members of Indian support staff, including head coach Ravi Shastri, were tested covid-19 positive last week.

The BCCI secretary said that he was unaware of ECB having approached the ICCs Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) for a swift decision. He made it clear that the games will only be played if the ECB does not demand a forfeiture.

Meanwhile, Shah also dismissed the reports which stated that India's captaincy across formats will be split between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

Meanwhile, Shah also dismissed the reports which stated that India's captaincy across formats will be split between Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

"There is no such proposal and the team is led by Virat and we are backing him," Shah said.

"There is no such proposal and the team is led by Virat and we are backing him," Shah said.

BCCI treasurer Arun Singh Dhumal too, had affirmed the same in a conversation with Cricbuzz earlier in the day.

"We are sensitive to the fact that such a proposal is not in the interest of Indian team when it will take part in a World Cup," he said.

Ganguly wants rescheduled Manchester Test to be fifth of the series.

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly wants the rescheduled Old Trafford Test between England and India to be played as the fifth match of the series, and not as a one-off Test. The game was called off hours before the toss on Friday, September 10, after growing covid-19 concerns within the Indian camp.

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has clarified that the BCCI wants the rescheduled fixture for the called-off Manchester Test as a continuation of the five-match Test series.

The match was called off with growing covid-19 concerns within the Indian camp, as four of their support-staff members - head coach Ravi Shastri, bowling coach Bharat Arun, fielding coach R Sridhar and assistant physio Yogesh Parmar - were tested positive before the game. India led the five-match series 2-1, following their 157-run at The Oval.

"We want the series to be completed as this will be our first series win [in England] since 2007," Ganguly told PTI.

"The BCCI maintains that Test cricket is the ultimate format, and we won't compromise it for anything. We are ready to play extra ODI and T20Is and that's not an issue. Just that the Test match that will be played later will be the fifth match of the series."

The fate of the series hangs in balance for now, with the England Cricket Board (ECB) having already written to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to make a call.

ICCs decision on this match, whether it is abandoned, forfeited or cancelled can have major implications on the series and also ECBs insurance cover. The World Test Championship 2023 points too, will be allotted accordingly.

India will tour England for three T20Is and as many ODIs next English summer, during which the rescheduled Test is likely be played. Ganguly will visit England next month and is expected to discuss on the issue with the ECB.